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SEIA is the solar energy industry’s go-to source for the latest coverage on solar power, including U.S. and international policy, research and polls, business and financing trends, and more. Our staff strives to support the media covering solar energy issues and guide our members on effective media outreach with clear statements, background materials, news and multimedia resources.

SEIA is committed to informing policymakers, the media, and the American public about the benefits of solar energy for today’s communities, our economy, and our country.

Mitt Romney sets an ambitious goal with his pledge to achieve U.S. energy independence by 2020. It’s just too bad his plan relies almost entirely on fossil fuels and largely ignores the solid promise of clean energy.

Total funding in the solar energy sector amounted to more than $4.3 billion spread across 66 transactions in the second quarter of 2012, with strong results in venture capital funding, debt funding, and corporate funding in particular, according to a Mercom Capital Group report.

On August 15, 2012, at 8 a.m., Colorado’s Xcel utility opened up its registration for a new solar gardens/virtual net metering program. It took just 30 minutes to shut the doors on applications. The utility had received 13.5 MW in those 30 minutes, more than triple the 4.5 MW allowed. This excitement is one reason why I believe that community solar is the key to widespread U.S. solar adoption, but let's go through all of them...plus the challenges to it ever happening.

Regarding your editorial "The Solar-Painted Desert" (Aug. 14): Solar is the latest industry the Department of the Interior leases land to, just like mining, cattle ranching and other energy sources—no special treatment has been requested or received. More lands are off-limits to solar (79 million acres) than are available. For perspective, there are 74 million acres leased by on- and offshore oil and gas projects. Also, there are no shortcuts in the National Environmental Policy Act when it comes to project reviews and approvals.

The Legislature is considering an unconstitutional assault on the Arizona Corporation Commission. If lawmakers want to put a black cloud over economic growth, especially in the solar industry, here's the way.

The Bureau of Land Management has recommended 237,100 acres of public land in Arizona are suitable for renewable energy development, part of an effort to speed up the process for clean-energy companies looking to set up shop in the state.

Last October, San Diego Gas & Electric submitted an application to state regulators to charge solar customers for the energy they provide to the grid with what was called a "network use charge." This fee quickly became a lightning rod for proponents of solar power.